Last week, we read about the Divine revelation at Mount Sinai and the giving of the Torah in Parshat Yitro. In this week’s parsha, Mishpatim, we hear the lofty response of the Jewish nation when accepting the Torah: Na’aseh V’nishma (we will do and we...
One of my favorite and most inspiring lessons has always been from the holiday of Tu B’Shvat. Nowadays, Tu B’Shvat has become a simple celebration of and appreciation for nature, which is of course important, but it misses the point of why it is that...
This week’s parsha includes the very first mitzvah ever given to the Jewish people as a nation – the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh, sanctifying the new month, something we just did this past week as we entered into the month of Shevat. ...
In Parshat Vayechi, we have the famous moment where Yaakov blesses Yoseph’s children with the immortal words “By you shall Israel bless saying, ‘May G-d make you like Ephraim and like Menashe'” [Bereshit 48:20]. This has become the blessing that parents give to their children...
A large portion of Parshat Korach is dedicated to the story of Korach and his rebellion against Moshe's leadership. The dramatic ending of the story (when the ground opens up and swallows all those involved alive along with their possessions) is shocking, but not more...
This week’s parsha opens with the plan to send spies into the land of Israel...